Reclosable fastener riser/spacer, and methods of constructing and utilizing same

ABSTRACT

A plastic spacer/riser to increase useable height of a reclosable fastening system, such as 3M™ Dual Lock™ or Velcro® hook and loop products. The spacer/riser is adapted to be held in place on an external substrate with hot-melt glue, sonic welds, pressure-sensitive adhesives, acrylic foam tape, or screws.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/681,060 filed Mar. 1, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No.7,695,057, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of and claimspriority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/162,499 filed Sep. 13,2005 U.S. Pat. No. 7,390,057, which in turn is a continuation in-part ofand claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/609,427 filed Sep. 13, 2004, the entire contents of whichapplications are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a reclosable fastenerriser/spacer device, and methods of constructing and using same.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an extruded plasticspacer/riser device to increase the useable height of reclosablefastening systems, such as, for example, 3M™ Dual Lock™ or Velcro® hookand loop products, and methods of constructing and utilizing same.

The term “reclosable fastener” as used herein means 3M™ Dual Lock™fasteners, Velcro®hook and loop fasteners, and any other fastener thatis selectively reclosable.

Typically, reclosable fastening systems, such as, for example, 3M™ DualLock™ or Velcro® hook and loop products, are limited in their overallheight or thickness in application.

Many times there is a need to increase the overall height or thicknessof these fasteners.

For example, when using a reclosable fastener for fastening together theheadliner of an automobile and the sheet metal portion roof of theautomobile, oftentimes there is a space or gap between the parts of thereclosable fasteners which might necessitate the pushing in of theheadliner, resulting in an uneven look with creases and folds and thelike.

The present invention provides a device to increase the overall height,allowing more versatility in the use of reclosable fasteners in manydifferent applications.

It is a desideratum of the present invention to avoid the animadversionsof conventional reclosable fastening systems which are limited in theiroverall height or thickness in application.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a riser/spacer device for use with areclosable fastener, comprising, in combination: a riser/spacer device ahaving a first predetermined overall height, and first and secondpredetermined portions; a reclosable fastener having a secondpredetermined overall height, and selectively closable and releasablefirst and second mating portions; said first mating portion of saidreclosable fastener being secured to said first predetermined portion ofsaid riser/spacer device; said first predetermined overall height ofsaid riser/spacer device plus and said second predetermined overallheight of said reclosable fastener being determined by a gap to befilled between first and second external substrates; said secondpredetermined portion of said riser/spacer device being connected,directly or indirectly, to said first external substrate; and saidsecond mating portion of said reclosable fastener being connected,directly or indirectly, to said second external substrate.

The present invention also provides a method of fabricating ariser/spacer device, comprising the steps of: softening plastic in anextruder as said plastic is forced though said extruder by an extruderscrew toward a die; shaping said softened plastic in said die; holdingthe shape of said plastic with shaping tooling and guides as saidsoftened shaped plastic exits said die in a continuous length until saidsoftened shaped plastic is cooled and set to a required shape anddimensions of said riser/spacer device; and maintaining the size of theplastic riser/spacer device by a ratio between the amount of plasticbeing forced through said die and the speed of a haul off apparatuspulling the plastic riser/spacer device away from said die and throughshaping tooling and guides.

The invention also provides a riser/spacer device which includes firstand second mating channel members which are designed and dimensioned tobe slidably assembled and disassembled together; and said first andsecond mating channel members are disposed between said first matingportion of said reclosable fastener and said first external substrate.

The present invention further provides an extruded spacer/riser deviceas described hereinabove to increase the useable height of reclosablefastening systems, such as, for example, 3M™ Dual Lock™ or Velcro® hookand loop products.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a reclosablefastener riser/spacer product as described hereinabove, wherein suchriser/spacer product may be fabricated by extrusion out of materialssuch as ABS, polypropylene, polyethylene, or any suitable material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such ariser/spacer device as described hereinabove, which allows reclosablefastening systems to have more versatility in applications.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such ariser/spacer device as described hereinabove, wherein the riser/spacerdevice is designed to be held in place on a substrate with hot-meltglue, sonic welding, pressure sensitive adhesive, acrylic foam tape,screws, or other securement means.

The foregoing objects, advantages and features of the present inventionwill become apparent to those persons skilled in this particular area oftechnology and to other persons after having been exposed to thefollowing detailed description of the present invention and when read inconjunction with the accompanying patent drawings.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show moreclearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made,by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, which show somepreferred embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of a spacer/riser device inaccordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a front elevational view of the FIG. 1 device.

FIG. 3 shows a side elevational view of the FIG. 1 device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the FIG. 1 device.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the internal structure ofthe spacer in phantom line.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the internal structure ofthe spacer in phantom line.

FIG. 7 is an isometric drawing showing the device having affixed thereonone portion of a 3M™ Dual Lock™ reclosable fastener.

FIG. 8 shows a side elevational view, partly in section, of theriser/spacer device of the present invention as used with a particularreclosable fastener system.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 10 shows an end view of the FIG. 9 embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows a device for mating with the FIG. 11 embodiment.

FIG. 13 depicts a bottom view of the FIG. 12 device.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the FIG. 12 device inverted.

FIG. 15 is view of the unassembled dual-lock fastener of FIGS. 12-14.

FIG. 16 shows the FIG. 15 fastener on acrylic foam tape.

FIG. 17 is a side view of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 shows a top view of the unassembled acrylic foam tape of theFIG. 11 device.

FIG. 19 is a front view of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view of a fourth embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 21 is front view of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a front view of a first channel portion of FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is a front view of second channel portion which mates with FIG.22 device.

FIG. 24 is a partial perspective view of a fifth embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 25 is front view of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a front view of a first channel portion of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is a front view of second channel portion which mates with FIG.26 device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Similar components in the various embodiments are designated by the samereference numbers, unless indicated otherwise.

The invention provides a riser/spacer device 18 for use with areclosable fastener 17, wherein: the riser/spacer device has a firstpredetermined overall height, and first and second predeterminedportions 19 and 26; the reclosable fastener 17 has a secondpredetermined overall height, and selectively closable and releasablefirst and second mating portions 16 and 22; said first mating portion 16of said reclosable fastener 17 being secured to said first predeterminedportion 19 of said riser/spacer device 18; said first predeterminedoverall height of said riser/spacer device 18 plus and said secondpredetermined overall height of said reclosable fastener 17 beingdetermined by a gap to be filled between first and second externalsubstrates 20 and 23; said second predetermined portion 26 of saidriser/spacer device 18 being connected to said first external substrate20; and said second mating portion 22 of said reclosable fastener 17being connected to said second external substrate 23.

With reference to FIGS. 1-8, there is illustrated a first embodiment ofthe present invention in the form of an unitarily-molded riser/spacerdevice 18 having a main spacer retainer member 10 and a spacer 15.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the main spacer retainer member 10 isprovided around its outer periphery 11 with a series of apertures 12.

The main spacer retainer member 10 is provided with a predeterminedportion or base member 26 having a lower surface 27, as best shown inFIG. 8.

The main spacer retainer member 10 surrounds one or more spacer members15, the height of which is dependent upon the increase in height or gapto be filled between external substrates 20 and 23.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the device 18 is injection molded frommaterials such as ABS, polypropylene, polyethylene, or other plastics.

With reference to FIG. 7, there is shown the device 18 having affixed ata predetermined portion or top surface 19 thereof a first mating portion16 of a reclosable fastener 17, such as a 3M™ Dual Lock™ reclosablefastener.

With reference to FIG. 8, there is shown the device 18 having the lowersurface portion 27 of its base number 26 secured to a first externalsubstrate 20, such as the sheet metal roof of an automobile, by hot-meltglue, sonic welding, pressure-sensitive adhesive, or other securementmeans 21.

A second portion 22 of the reclosable fastener 17, such as a 3M™ DualLock™ reclosable fastener, is secured to a second external substrate 23,such as, for example, the headliner of an automobile by hot-melt glue,sonic welding, pressure-sensitive adhesive, or other securement means28.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the purpose of the apertures 12 in themain spacer retaining member 10 is to permit hot-melt glue or otheradhesive to move therethrough, or screws to pass therethrough, whensecuring member 10 to an external substrate 20.

With reference to FIG. 8, the 3M™ Dual Lock™ reclosable fastener 17 willoperate in the normal fashion with the mushroom heads 25 on the rigidplastic stems 24 releasably interlocked. The 3M™ Dual Lock™ reclosablefasteners 17 are self-mating, that is the fasteners 17 simply reattachto themselves. When pressed together, thousands of mushroom heads 25interlock with one another creating an audible snap that announces thatthe fastener portions 16 and 22 are interlocked.

FIGS. 9 and 10 a riser/spacer device 40 in accordance with a secondembodiment of the invention.

The riser/spacer device 40 is made by an extrusion process as describedhereinbelow.

In the extrusion process in accordance with the present invention, theplastic from which the device 40 is made has to be softened so it can beshaped. This can be done by any suitable means, such as, for example, byapplying heat.

In accordance with the invention, this softening of the plastic takesplace in an extruder as the plastic is forced toward and through a dieby an extruder screw. The shape is imparted to the plastic by the die.

Once the plastic exits the die in a continuous length, it is held ormaintained in shape with shaping tooling and guides until the plasticmaterial can be cooled and set to the required shape.

The size of the plastic part is maintained by a ratio between the amountof plastic being forced through the die and the speed of an haul offapparatus which pulls the part away from the die and through the shapingtooling.

After the part shape has been set, any number of process steps can bedone to the part while it is still in a continuous length and before itpasses through the haul off apparatus. In the case of the riser/spacerdevice 40, these process steps may preferably, but not necessarily,include applying promoter, applying a portion 41 (similar to portion 16described above) of a reclosable fastener 17, and applying a partidentification.

Once the part is beyond the haul off apparatus, it may be cut to therequired length, yielding the finished part.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the riser/spacer device 40 includes areclosable fastener somewhat similar to the reclosable fastener 17described above in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8. The reclosablefastener 17 has a predetermined overall height “a” (as shown in FIG. 8),and a selectively closable and releasable first and second matingportions.

Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the predetermined overall height of theriser/spacer device plus and the predetermined overall height “a” of thereclosable fastener is determined by a gap “b” to be filled betweenfirst and second external substrates 20 and 23.

As shown in FIG. 8, a mating portion 22 of the reclosable fastener 17 issecured to an external substrate 23.

The mating portion 41 (FIGS. 9 and 10) is similar to the mating portion16.

FIGS. 11-19 illustrate a third embodiment 50 having first and secondriser/spacer devices 51 and 52, and a reclosable fastener 17. FIG. 11show mating portion 16 of fastener 17 mounted on spacer 51, which inturn is mounted on acrylic foam tape member 53.

FIG. 12 shows the device for mating with the FIG. 11 device. FIG. 12shows mating portion 22 of fastener 17 secured to spacer 52, which inturn is secured to acrylic foam tape member 54.

FIG. 13 depicts a bottom view of the FIG. 12 device.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the FIG. 12 device inverted.

FIG. 15 is view of the unassembled dual-lock fastener of FIGS. 12-14.

FIG. 16 shows the FIG. 15 fastener on acrylic foam tape.

FIG. 17 is a side view of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 shows a top view of the unassembled acrylic foam tape of theFIG. 11 device.

FIG. 19 is a front view of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view of a fourth embodiment 60 of theinvention.

FIG. 21 is front view of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a front view of a first channel portion 61 of FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is a front view of second channel portion 62 which mates withthe FIG. 22 device.

FIG. 24 is a partial perspective view of a fifth embodiment 70 of theinvention.

FIG. 25 is front view of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a front view of a first channel portion 71 of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is a front view of second channel portion 72 which mates withthe FIG. 26 device.

With reference to the fourth and fifth embodiments 60 and 70,respectively, it should be noted that the device includes first andsecond mating channel members which are designed and dimensioned to beslidably assembled and disassembled together; and said first and secondmating channel members are disposed between said first mating portion ofsaid reclosable fastener and said first external substrate.

While the present invention has been described hereinabove with respectto several preferred embodiments for illustrative purposes only, itshould be understood that the present invention encompasses and embracesall modifications, variations, and changes in the basic inventiveconcept.

Also, the variations and modifications are intended to be embracedwithin the scope of the present invention and the patent claims setforth hereinbelow.

1. A riser/spacer device for use with a reclosable fastener, comprising,in combination: a reclosable fastener having a predetermined overallheight, and selectively closable and releasable first and second matingportions; said reclosable fastener comprises strips of flexible plasticcovered with interlocking heads which fasten securely when pressedtogether; a first rigid, one-piece, non-deformable, non-flexibleriser/spacer member having a rectangular parallelepiped shape with apair of parallel rectangular tubular hollow portions extendingtherethrough; said first mating portion of said reclosable fastenerbeing secured to a first major planar surface of said first rigid,one-piece, non-deformable, non-flexible riser/spacer member; a firstacrylic foam tape member secured to a second major planar surface ofsaid first rigid, one-piece, non-deformable, non-flexible riser/spacermember; said second major planar surface is parallel to and oppositesaid first major planar surface; said first acrylic foam tape memberextends beyond said first rigid, one-piece, non-deformable, non-flexibleriser/spacer member to provide wing portions on both ends of said firstrigid, one-piece, non-deformable, non-flexible riser/spacer member; asecond rigid, one-piece, non-deformable, non-flexible riser/spacermember having a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a pair of parallelrectangular tubular hollow portions extending therethrough; said secondmating portion of said reclosable fastener being secured to a firstmajor planar surface of said second rigid, one-piece, non-deformable,non-flexible riser/spacer member; a second acrylic foam tape membersecured to a second major planar surface of said second rigid,one-piece, non-deformable, non-flexible riser/spacer member; said secondmajor planar surface of said second riser/spacer member is parallel toand opposite said first major planar surface of said second riser/spacermember; when said strips of flexible plastic covered with interlockingheads are fastened securely pressed together, the overall height of allof the above-mentioned components is determined by a gap to be filledbetween first and second substrates; said first acrylic foam tape memberis secured to said first substrate; and said second acrylic foam tapemember is secured to said second substrate.
 2. A riser/spacer deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein: said first and second substrates comprisea roof of a vehicle and a headliner of said vehicle.